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holy man died at an advanced age, and was interred at Inisbeigere, 
in Leinster.* 
It has been already observed, that Aengus, the first Christian 
King of Munster, had piously bestowed Aran on St. Endea; who, 
A. D. 480, founded on Great Aran an abbey, called after him Kzl- 
Endea, of which he was the first abbot. 
He also erected ten cells, or monasteries, which were subordinate 
tothe abbot, one half of the island being appropriated to the support 
of the former, and the other half to that of the abbey, The ruins 
of that edifice stand nearly at the eastern extremity of the island, 
and in the opposite direction are the remains of seven churches, de- 
dicated, it is supposed, to St. Brecan. One of them is, after him, 
called Tempeil-Brecain, near which is a holy well. These conse- 
crated wells are numerous throughout the island, as are Christian 
altars, stone crosses, and other reliques of early piety ; all which are 
held in high veneration by the Aranites, who frequently spend whole 
hours in going round them, fervently praying, and performing other 
acts of devotion. It ison record, that thirteen churches, beside, 
the monasteries already mentioned, had formerly stood on the island. 
St. Endea, was the son of Conal Dearg, and of noble descent. 
He died early in the sixth century, full of years and of sanctity, 
and is commemorated on the 21st of March. His successor in the 
abbacy was Benedict, the brother of Kieran of Saiger. The fol- 
lowing list of Abbots, though incomplete, is the best that could be 
selected from Usher, Colgan, Butler, and the Monasticons : 
Endea, died early in the sixth century. 
Benedict, successor to. Endea. 
Cronan, precise date uncertain. 
* Annals of Inisfallen, ad ann. 420, Ogygia, passim. 
